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HB Boat Ban Challenged?

Alabama boaters file suit

Published online: Aug 05, 2006NewsFrom Soundings Trade Only

According to a recent report from Soundings Trade Only (a marine trade publication), a dealer and several boat owners in Alabama have filed suit against the state's new law that bans big boats on three lakes.

The lawsuit was filed last week against the state and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The suit claims the Alabama legislature acted in an "arbitrary and irrational manner" by approving the new law. The suit also seeks a preliminary injunction against the law.

The law that goes into effect Oct. 1 prohibits boats that are more than 26 feet, 11 inches and can go faster than 60 mph, on LakesMartin and Harris and WeissLake. The law also prohibits houseboats -- except those that pass inspection and are already docked at a marina -- and all motor boats more than 30 feet, 6 inches. Sailboats are exempt.

One of the plaintiffs is Nelems Marine, a Formula dealer on LakeMartin. The other plaintiffs own boats more than 27 feet and use them on LakeMartin, according to the suit.

According to BoatUS, a new survey by Boating Industry magazine found that people who manufacture, sell, repair and store recreational vessels are noting an increasing number of issues due to ethanol-related fuels.

When it comes to recreational boating, we love our access to federal waters. But with problems like lack of funds for ramp/dock maintenance, aging marina infrastructure, and even government will, there can be obstacles to this access.

As National Marine Manufacturers Association president Thom Dammrich put it when addressing groups throughout the industry, “All this economic news is a green light for good times in recreational boating.”

West Marine and Monomoy Capital Partners, a New York-based private equity fund, just announced a definitive merger agreement under which a wholly owned affiliate of Monomoy will acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of West Marine at $12.9